Welcome to SCBWI-MI's Book Birthday Blog!

Where we celebrate new books from Michigan's authors, illustrators and translators.

Congratulations to Rhonda Gowler Greene on the release of Mommy Loves Me And God Does Too!

How did you come up with the idea for your book?

For this book, it was a very different experience for me. It was a work-for-hire project, which I had never done before. In February 2025, a Scholastic editor approached me (through my agent) asking if I would write a story for their Little Shepherd imprint about a mother’s, and God’s, love for little ones. The editor wanted it in rhyme. She already had the title and a farm theme. She wanted nine spreads (18 pages). We had a call then when she gave me examples of competitive titles by other publishers. I looked them up, bought some, and studied them so I could make my story somewhat different.

A few weeks later, I was told who’d be illustrating it— Lisa Alderson (lives in England). Of course, I looked up a lot of her published work then. I really like her sweet and cozy illustrations of animals. There are only animals in my story.

I was told they were hoping for this to be a series and that Scholastic/Little Shepherd would see how well this book did before thinking about doing a companion DADDY book. However, once my story and some of the art was shown at a Scholastic sales meeting, everyone loved it and wanted to go ahead with working on the DADDY book (editor chose a pet theme) much sooner than they anticipated.

They wanted that one to come out soon after the MOMMY book. So that is what’s happening. DADDY LOVES ME AND GOD DOES TOO! (also illustrated by Lisa Alderson) will be released in two months, on May 5th. That book was a bit easier to write because I already had a story pattern established in the MOMMY book. I repeated that pattern for the DADDY book, but wrote new verses. The editor gave me suggestions of what animals/pets to use, but then mostly left it up to me.

What is something you hope your readers will take away from your book?

I want small children to feel a warm, amazing, and unconditional love from their mommies and daddies. Too, I want them to know God loves them so much and they’re precious to Him.

What was the most difficult part of writing this book?

The hardest thing about the project was that I was asked to come up with a first draft within two weeks—Huh?! I’d never been asked to write something that quickly. I usually take months to write my stories trying to get every word, rhyme, and comma(!) just right.

I panicked a bit about the very short time frame, but I accepted the challenge. Once my first draft was done, there were a few weeks then when my editor and I went over the text and made revisions.

What are your marketing plans for the book and where can we find it?

Mostly, I’ll be announcing the release on my social media. I feel lucky that Scholastic is publishing it since they’re great at promoting their books and they also have popular book clubs and fairs. The MOMMY book can currently be found on major online bookstores. Too, hopefully, lots of independent and Christian bookstores will carry copies.

What's next for you?

Last summer, after writing these two books, my Little Shepherd editor surprised me by asking me to write another story—a nativity one. Again, she wanted it written quickly (but thankfully, not within two weeks!). This book is not a work-for-hire, but a standard picture book contract.

She and I had a phone call when she gave me some direction— she wanted the story whimsical and with lots of onomatopoeia. She already had the title THE NOT-SO-SILENT NIGHT. The subtitle has been changing, but I think they’re going with THE JOYFUL NOISE OF THE FIRST CHRISTMAS.

That book will be released this October 6th (illustrator-Wazza Pink; the cover is beautiful!). We’re still in the process of revising the text some.

A year from now (early 2027), my IF YOU WANT TO SEE A NARWHAL will be released with Little Brown. Within the last few weeks, my editor and I (and the illustrator, Xin Li) have been going over and over everything to make sure all is perfect before it’s printed.

Too, I have several new stories currently out on submission. Fingers crossed!

Thanks so much for the interview! And best of luck to everyone with their writing and illustrating!

More about the book . . .

A cuddly, farm-themed book (padded board book) that celebrates mommies’ love for their little ones and reassures them of God’s abundant love too.

Published by: Scholastic/Little Shepherd

More about the author . . .

Rhonda Gowler Greene is the author of over thirty picture books. She’s been published with several major publishers, beginning with her first sale (from the slush pile) in 1995 to Simon & Schuster. Her books have earned starred reviews and honors such as School Library Journal Best Book and Bank Street College Best Book. Rhonda holds a Master’s in Educational Media and is a former learning disabilities teacher. She lives in Orchard Lake, Michigan, with her husband, Gary, in a house overflowing with books. They have four grown kids and four adorable grandkids.

Website: https://rhondagowlergreene.com/

Instagram: @rhondagowlergreene
Facebook: rhondagowlergreene
X (Twitter): @rgowgreene